Combustion system



Patented Mar. 23,1920.

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l perature, and in the operation of which Il utilize themethod set forth in myV pending application, Serial No. 217,263, iledpFeb. 111,l 1918.

UNITED sT ATEs PATENT OFFICE.

:LEWIS I.. scorT, or sT. LoUIsyMIssoUnI, AssIeNon. To :STANDARD r:NerIImEnIlm COMPANIL or sT. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION.

"To' all whom'it may concern:

Be it 'known that I, LEwIs L. SCOTT, a

citizen of the United States,`-residin' inthe 'city of St.` Louis and' State of have invented new and useful Improve- "ments in Combustion Systems, of whichthe hissouri,

` following is a specification,

' This invention relates to a noyel 'appa- `ratus for use in burning heavy oils, which are practically,non-volatile at normal tem- The invention 1s designed more particularly for use in steam automobiles, although not limited to such application, and the leading characteristics thereof are, that by means of the apparatus herein described, I am enabled'to secure instantaneous ignition of the oil, and a very rapid and almost instantaneous generation of steam by simply closing an electrical switch, and thereafter automatic control of fuel combustion and steam generation.

In practice, starting initially with no previous preheating of the water, steam may be generated and the automobile placed in motion in about the same time as is required to put in motion an automobile actuated by the Ordinary gasolene motor.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide means for automatically maintainmal pressure. A still further object relates to the provision of means for automatically cutting off the supply of oil to the spray nozzlel when the temperature in the boiler exceeds a pre-determinedmaximum, say

800 F. A still further object relates to the provision lof means for; automatically `cuttingout', or stopping, thel operation of the entire generating system when the steam pressure exceeds a predetermined maximum, say 600 lbs. A still further object relates to means for mechanically spraying the oil COMBUSTION SYSTEM.

vSpeciflcationof Letters Patent. Patented Mar, 23, 1920, Application med :une 24,1918,l 'serial Noi- 24'14590.

by means ofpressure, whereby I am enabled to, save theAA considerable. expenditure of Ipower involvedY in following the usual courseof aspirating the oil by high-pres sure air., A still further -`object relates to the-provision ofautomatic means for maintaining a constant pressure 'on the delivery side of the pump that forces the oil to the spraying nozzle. A still further object relates to meansfor lcontrolling the course of the air supplied to the combustion `chamjects of the invention above designated, all

of whichl will4 more clearly appear from the detailed description to follow.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,-

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through the generator and parts immediately associated therewith, and more or less diagrammatic as to the remaining part of y the system involved;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional viecv through the spray nozzle employed; an

Fig. 4 is a partial, horizontal, sectional view,"viewed from the top of the spray nozzle Referring 'now to the drawing` the numeral 1 indicates, generally, a steam generator, which has a boiler 2 of the flash type. This'boiler is supplied with water from a water-tank 3. Leading from this tank is a pipe 4, which is 'connected with pump 5.

` The numeral 6 indicates the discharge pipe from the water-pump 5, said pipe communicating with the continuous tube of the boiler 2, as indicated at 7. A pipe 8 communicates atits lower end with the tubes of the boiler and at its upper end is connected with the Bourdon tube 9 of a steam pressure gage. The numeral l0 indicates the steam outlet pipe'of the boiler, and located in the length of this pipe is one'end of a mercury tube 11 of a vapor tension thermostat, the opposite end of which tube is .connected with the Bourdon tube 12, of a steam temperature lwith ahy-pass 17. The numeral 18indicates the'oil discharge pipe from the pump 15, which pipe communicates with a pipe 19 in- -termediate the ends of the latter. The lowei open end of the pipe 19 enters the by-pass and is controlled by a spring-pressed valve 20, which normally closes it. The pipe 19 is continued upward to a point above the generator, where it connects with a pipe 21 intermediate the ends of the latter. One end of the pipe 21 is connected with the Bourdon tube 22 of a kerosene pressure gage, and the other end is connected to aspray nozzle 23 through the medium of a connecting nut 24. The nozzle 23 is of a well-knownv type, and is characterized by a tangential inlet 25, a tapered whirling-chamber 26 .provided in a plug`27, anda small orifice 28, located centrally of said plug and at the bottom of the chamber 26. The spraying nozzle is secured, as by -a binding screw 29, with the orifice 28 thereof, located centrally of an opening 30 provided in the upper end of a bell-shaped device 31, having a chamber 31a, into which chamber project the terminals of a sparkplug 32.

The air for insuring complete combustion of the oil is supplied from a blower 33 operated by a motor 34, the air passin through a duct 35 into ,a distributing cham er 36 located on top of the generator 1. In the bottom of the distributing chamberV 36, which is also the top of the generator 1, is an open-- ing surrounded by a spout 37, into which spout the lower end of the bell-shaped device 31 extends for a short distance. Lo-

cated in the chamber 36, on opposite sides thereof, as shown in Fig. 2, and adjacentto the point' of connection of the duct 35 with said chamber, are deflecting-plates 38, which serve to properly direct lthe course of the air to insure that it will be evenly distributed as regards vits passa e through the spout 37. Without these deecting-plates, it has been found that the air tends to pass to the farther side of the distributing chamber a-nd ldown into the generator only through one and aplunger 43,'which latter is adjustably mounted in the core 44 lof the solenoid valve 45.lv

- The electrical system by means of which the operations hereinafter set forthV are secured will now bebriefly described;

, The numeral 46 indicates a battery, the current from which is employed for energizing the various electrical devices to be .referred to. From one side of this battery leads a line wire 47 in the length of which is introduced the main operating switch 48. The wire 47 is connected to a spark coil 49 and a secondary wire 47b continuing therefrom has its extremity connected to the spark plug 32'. A branch wire 47a leads from the wire 47 to a shunt coil 49a of the compound wound motor 34, and has interposed in its length a magnetic switch 50 involving a make-and-break contact device 51. The switch 50 is connected by a wire 52 with a contant screw 53. From the other side of the battery 46 a wire 54 leads to and is connected with a contact member 55, of the steam temperature gage, a contact member 56 of the steam pressure gage, and a contact member 57 of the kerosene pressure gage. The numeral-58 indicates the contact-screw of the kerosene pressure gage, which screw is normally engaged by the contact-member 57. From the contact screw 58 a wire 459 leads to the spark-coil 49 and a secondary wire 60 leads thence and is grounded in the frame. A branch wire 54a leads from the wire 54 to the coil of the solenoid valve 45 and is connected by a branch wire 54b to one terminal of the motor from which the circuit passes through the series winding 49 to the other motor terminal, which is also the terminal of the wire 47a and of one end of the shunt winding 49a.` The contact-member 56 is normally in Contact with the screw 53. The contact-member 55, on the other hand, is normally out of contact with the contact-screw 61. From this latter contactscrew a wire 61a leads to the coil 45 and is connected by a branch wire 61 with' the other termi-nal of the shunt coil 49a'. Contact members 55 and 56 are electrically connected to provide a complete circuit. The operationis as follows:

Upon closing the switch 48 the motor 34 will be started and thus actuate the water pump 5, the kerosene pump 15 and the blower 33. Water will thereupon be forced into circulation through the tu'be of the boiler 2 and kerosene, or other heavy, or

even crude oil will be forced" upward throughv the pipesdescribed into the spraying nozzle 23, whence it issues in the form of a fine spray into chamber 31HL of the bell-shaped device 31. The closing of the switch 48 will also operate, as will be seen, to place the spark plug 32 into the circuit of the battery 46 thereby, through the spark produced, causing the ignition of the kerosene spray. This, however,y as is well known, will not result. in producing complete combustion of the kerosene, and hence the provision of the 'blower 33 for providing the requisite amount of air to cause complete combustion. It will readily be seen, in this regard, that the air passes up the duct 35 and out through` the spout 37, through the opening surrounding the bell-shaped device 31, and this addtional air causes complete combustion ofthe fuel in the combustion chamber,- which, of

course, .is the central space surrounded by `the tubes 2.

, highly efiicient means of spraying the kerosene, but it is at the same time a very economical method, as compared with accomplishing this result by an aspiration 'of the kerosene, which requlres a very conslderable amount of power to maintain the current of high-pressure air necessary for the purpose. It will be readily appreciatedv by those skilled in the lart that the kerosene may be placed under the requisite amount of-pressure to cause it to spray, lsay 25 lbs., by means of a pump operated from the motor with an expenditure of ower that is so small as scarcely to be rec toned as an item of expense, inasmuch as the additional load placed upon the motor is very small. Aside from the question of expense, however, the diminution in power required permits of the use of a much smallerpower plant than would otherwise be required.

The spark plug 32 is automatically cut out after ignition of the kerosene spray through the medium of the kerosene pressure gage, the ignition occurring in the brief interval required to raise the pressure on the kerosene. The pressure required on the kerosene will ordinarily be about 25 lbs. The kerosene gage will, therefore. be set at, say, 20 ibs., and as soon as this pressure is reached the .Bourdon tube will be actuated to break the contact between the screw 58 and the member 57, and thus open-circuit the spark-plug. The pressure will continue to build up to Jthe required amount, but as it is highly desirable, and a feature of my invention, to maintain the pressure of'the kerosene constant, I provide additional means for controlling such pressure, the operation `of which I will now describe.

- It will be seen from the description of the circuits heretofore given that the solenoid valve 45 is normally in the, circuit of the battery 46, being connected in series with the shunt coil of the motor, so that its core 44 is maintained in the raised position shown in the drawing. In this position its plunger 43 presses against the spring 42, which in turn presses the valve 20y upward and closes the opening in the pipe 19. In this position of the parts, the kerosene forced by the pump 15 through the pipes 18, 19 and l21 passes direct to the spray nozzle. Should now the pressure upon the kerosene exceed the maximum of 25 lbs., which', of course, would mean the combustion of a greater amount of kerosene than necessary, the spring 42, the tension of which is regulated by adjusting the height of the plunger 43 to withstand a pressure of only 25 lbs., will yield, permitting the valve 20 `to be forced from its seat, so that the kerosene may now take the course of least resistance and re-' turn, by way of pipe 19, by-passz17, and plpes 16 and 1 4 to the inlet of pump 15.

8.0 IVhen the pressure has been thereby restored to normal, the spring 42 will act to force the valve 20 to its seat, and restore the` direct' circulation of the oil to the spray nozzle.

I furthe-r provide means for shutting olf the spray of kerosene should the temperature 1n the boiler exceed the maximum of 8000. As such high temperature is produced, it will be elfective to operate the through the steam temperature gage medium of the mercury tube 11 and the -Bourdon tube 12, which will result in making `contact between the contact member 55 andthe contact screw 61. By following the circuits described it will be seen that the closing of the contact in the temperature gage will operate to cut out the latter will thereupon drop from the end ofthe pipe 19, so that the kerosene will now go through the by-pass and be returned to the inlet of pump 15, instead of passing to the spray nozzle. lVhen the temperature has been restored to normal by the cessation of combustion, the Bourdon tube 12 will be actuated lby the mercury tube 11 to break the contact between 'the member and the screw 61, the coil of the solenoid valve will again be energized and the core 44 raised, and the spring 42 will be caused to press valve 20 to its seat, whereby to close the by-pass and cause the oil to pass direct to the spray nozzle again.

A further factor of control consists in the provision of means for cutting out the motor 34 and thus stopping the operation of the entire combustion and generating system when the pressure of steam inthe boiler tube exceeds the maximum of 60() lbs. Such excessive pressure will actuate the Bourdon tube 9, which is in constant communication with the boiler through the medium of the pipe 8, and cause the contact between the member 56 and the screw 53 to be broken. This, as will be seen from an inspection of the circuits indicated on the drawing embracing wires 47, 47a and 52,

the magnet switch 50, the continuation of sene will be supplied to the generator,nor

water to the boiler, and hence the whole stean generating operation will cease.-

When pressure is restored to normal, contact ybetween the member 56 and screw 53 `will benautomatically restored, the motor placed in operation; and the `combustion. and steam generator processes resumed. The provision of the magnet switch 50 is for the purpose of enabling the main motor circuit to be'opened and closed in a rapid and positive manner and for avoidin the arcing which would occur if this circuit were controlled by the steam switch,'com prising the points 53, and 56. Thatl is to say, the motor will take quite an amount of current as compared with the magnet switch, say, for example, about'45 amperes as compared with an ampere. The movement of the contact member 56 under the influence of steam is relatively slow, and,

' owing to variations in pressure, there will often occur a vibratory, instead of a unidirectional, movement ofsaid contact member. If the contacts' 53 and 56 were included in the main circuit to rthe motor, it will be at once seen lthat as they would have to handle the tot'al current, the contact points would arc and soon be destroyed'. Under the arrangement described, however, by having the steam operated switch handle a very small quantity of current, which current is used solely for energizing. the magnet, whichma net in turn operates the main switchv 51,2I obtain an instantaneous action n of the switch' in either direction, as will be understood 'by those skilled in the art, and

' alsoA avoid-the objectioniof arcing at the switch terminals. It will be understood, of course,`t'li=at when the motor 34 is cut out, the pressure'-oi1the kerosene will fall, asno more kerosene is then being pumped, andthe member 57 is automatically restored to contact with the screw 58 by the action of the Bourdon tube 22. .As the cutting out ofthe motor occurs automatically, the switch 48 will be closed, as the increase in pressure of the steam will only occur while the car is in operation; and hence, when the motor is again automatically placed in oper, ation, the spark plug 32 will be in the'circuit of battery 46, and will cause the ignition of the kerosene as soon as it is delivered through the spray nozzle; and, in the mantween them, such as the Newcomb generator f provides, is an ideal construction, if not a virtual necessity, in the use of my system. That .is to say, the Newcomb construction of generator readily lends itself to the provision of a chamber which will accommodate the length. of iame produced by the mechanical spraying device whiclrI employ, and as the only outlet for the products of combustion is through the spaces provided between the coils, substantially all of the heat will be absorbed by the coils and utilized in the production of steam.

1. Combustion apparatus for burning heavyoils at approximately normal-temperature comprising a mechanical oil spraying device, an electric device positioned to directly ignite the sprayed oil, means for supplying air to the ignited spray to complete combustion, and means for preventing access of the entire volume of supplied air to the sprayed fuel before ignition thereof. Y 2. In combustion apparatus for burning heavy oils at approximately normal temperature, in combination with a spray nozzle for finely dividing liquid fuel, means for forcing fuel under pressure through 'said spray nozzle and thereby mechanically spraying it, an electric device for directly igniting said sprayed fuel, and means for supplying air tothe spray to complete combustion, said electric. device being positioned in the direct path of said spray and located at a point where the spray reaches said elecit, a by-pass in the fuel line for automatically maintaining a constant pressure of fuel at the spray nozzle, an electric device positioned to directly ignite the sprayed fuel, and means for supplying air to the ignited spray to complete combustion.

4. In combustion apparatus for burning heavy oils at approximately normal temperature, in combination with a spray, nozzle for finely dividing liquid fuel, means for ,sure to permit the passage of the fuel through the by-pass and thereby reduce the pressure at the nozzle.

5. In combustion apparatus for .burning heavy oils, in combination with amechanical oil spraying device, an electric device for igniting the sprayed oil, means for supplying air to the ignited spray to complete combustion, means for forcing oil under pressure to said oil spraying device, an oil pressure gage, and a cut-out device in the circuit of said igniting device, adapted to be actuated by said pressure gage to break the circuit of the ignition device when the pressure on the oil has reached a pre-determined degree.

6. In combination with a heat absorbing medium, a combustion system comprising a lfuel spraying device, an electric device positioned to directly ignite the sprayed fuel, an air blower for furnishing air to the ignited spray to complete combustion, a pump for forcing oil` under pressure through the spraying device and ythereby mechanically spraying it, a motor for driving said blower and said pump, and means responsive to changes in conditions in the heat-absorbing medium for controlling the motor.

7. In combination with a heat absorbing medium, a combustion system comprising a fuel spraying device, an electric device for igniting said sprayed fuel, an air blower for furnishing air to the ignited spray to complete combustion, a pump forforcing oil through the spraying device and thereby mechanically spraying it, a motor for driving said blower and said pump, means responsive to4 changes in the heat absorbing medium produced by combustion fo-r breaking the circuit of said motor, a by-pass in the fuel line, and a solenoid valve controlling said by-pass andA located in the circuit of said motoig, whereby, when said motor is cut out, said solenoid will be instantly operated to open the by-pass and prevent further oil being supplied to the spraying device.

8. In combustion apparatus for burning heavy oils, in combination with a mechanical oil spraying device, means for forcing oil under pressure to said device, an electric device foi igniting the sprayed oil, means for supplying air to the ignited spray to completeI combustion, and means responsive to a pre-determined pressure in the fuel line for controlling the time of operationof the electric ignition device. l

9. In combination with a heat absorbing medium, a combustion system comprising a fuel spraying device, means for forcing fuel undelpressurc through the spraying device and thereby mechanically spraying it, an electrical device ositioned to directly ignite said sprayed fue means for supplying air to the ignited spray to complete combustion, and means responsive to changes in temperature of the heat absorbing medium for controlling the supply of fuel to the spraying device.

10. In combination with a heat absorbing medium, a combustion system comprising a fuel spraying device, a pump for forcing oil through the spraying device and thereby mechanically spraying it, an electrical device positioned to directly ignite said sprayed fuel, an air blower for furnishing air to the ignited spray to complete coinbustion, a motor for driving said pump and said blower, and means responsive to changes in pressure in the heat absorbing medium for controlling the motor.

11. In combination with a heat absorbing medium, a combustion system comprising a fuel spraying device, a pump for forcing oil to the spraying device, an electrical device positioned to directly ignite the sprayed fuel, an air blower for furnishing air to the ignited spray to complete combustion, a motor for driving said pum and'said blower, a source of current-supplJy for said motor, a by-pass in the fuel line, a solenoid valve controlling said by-pass and in the circuit of sorbing medium rises above or falls below a pre-determined degree.

12. In combination with a lieat absorbing medium, a combustion system comprising means located at vthe top of the heat-absorbing medium for nely dividing liquid fuel and projecting it in the form of a spray,

meansl positioned to directly ignite said, spray, means for furnishing air to the ig,nv

nited spray to complete combustion, and an air reservoir located at the top of theheat I ,absorbing medium for receiving the air and directing it around the ignited fuel spray.

13.4 In combination with a generator surrounding a central combustion chamber and providing a plurality of heating members affording spaces between them constituting the only means of escape for the products of combustion from said chamber, whereby substantially all of the heat will be absorbed by the heating members and utilized in the production of steam and the walls of said steam generator will be kept at approximately the temperatuure of the steam contained therein, ya combustion system comprising means for finely dividing liquid fuel and projecting it in t e form of an atomized spray into said combustion chamber, means positioned to directly ignite said spray, and means for furnishing air to the ignited spray to complete combustion.A

14. In combination with a generator comprisingv a series of Asuperimposed pipe coils surrounding a central combustion chamber,

andl havin between the coils s aces affording the on y means of'escape or the products of combustion from said vchamber,

. whereby substantially all of the heat will be 'production of steam, and the'walls of said absorbed by the coils and utilized in the coils adjacent to said chamber will be kept at approximately the temperatureV ofy the steam within said c oils, a combustion system comprising means for nel dividing liquid fuel and projecting it in t e form of an atomized spray intoy said combustion i chamber, means positionedto directly ignite said spray, and means for furnishing air to 16. In combination with a generator comprising a series of superimposed pipe coils surrounding a central combustion chamber, a combustion system comprising means located' in the top of said chamber for finely dividin liquid fuel and directing it in the form o a spray downward into said chamber, means positioned to directly ignite said spray, and means for furnishing'air to the ignited spray to complete combustion.

17. In combination with a heat absorbingY medium, a combustion system comprising means for finely dividing fuel and projecting it in the form of a spray, means for iguiting said spray, means for furnishing air to sald ignited spray to complete combustion, an air reservoir located at the toof said medium for receiving said air and aving an outlet surrounding the fuel-spray, and defiecting plates lcc/alted in said reservoir for dividing the air current and pro- -ducing a uniform distribution of -\the air around said i itedvfuel spray."

1.8. In com lustion apparatus for burning heavy oils, a mechanical oil spraying device y for atomizing the oil, a casing surrounding said device and having an outlet inthe direction the spray is moving, an electric device located in said casing for igniting said fuel spray at normal temperature, a combustion chamber, an air chamber surroundin said casing and having an outlet into sai combustion chamber, and means for furnishing air tosaid air chamber.

19. In combustion apparatus for burning heavy oils, a mechanical oil spraying device for atomizing the oil, a casing surroundin Y said device and having an outlet in the d1- rection the spray4 is moving,'anelectric device located in said casing for igniting said fuel spray at normal temperature, a combustion chamber,an air chamber surrounding said casing, a blower for furnishin air to said air chamber, and a funneled out et from saidv air chamber surrounding said casing and opening into said combustion chamber.

20. In combustion apparatus for burning heav oils, al spray nozzle for finely dividing 'quid fuel, a casing surrounding said nozzle and havin an outlet in the direction the spray is moving, an electric device located in said casing for igniting said fuel spray atnormal temperature, an air' chamber surrounding said casing, a blower for furnishing air to said chamber, a funneled outlet from said air chamber surrounding said casing, and deflecting plates located in said air chamber for causin an even distribution of the air around sai casing and through said outlet.

21. In combination with a heat absorbing medium, a con'bustion system comprising a fuel spraying device,- an electric device for igniting said sprayed fuel, an air blower for .furnishin air t'o the ignited spray to complete com ustion, a pump for forclng oil to the spraying device, a motor for driving said blower and said pump, means responsive to changes in the heat absorbing medium produced by combustion for breaking the circuit of said motor, a by-pass in the fuel line, and automatic means for maintaining a constant pressure on the delivery side of the ump. y

22. combustion system comprising a fuel .burning device, a pump for forcing oil to 'said burning device, means for igmtin the oil at the burner, means for driving sai pump, a by-pass in the fuel line of the pump, an electrically operated pressure valve in the by-pass, an electric circuit includin said valve, and automatic means control ed by the operation of the system for opening and closing said circuit, said valve being automatically set to by-pass fuel at a certain pressure when said circuit is closed, and operating to open said by-pass when said circuit is o cned, and thereby prevent further flow of el to the burning device.

23. In combination with a heat-absorbing medium, a combustion system comprising a fuel-burning device, a pump for forcing oil to said burning device, means for igniting 1,334,560 V '2fv the oil at the burner, a motor for driving and operating to open said by-pass when said pump, a by-pass n'the fuel line of the said circuit is opened, thereby preventing pump, an electrically operated Ypressure further iow of fuel to the burning device. 10 valve in the by-pass, and an electric circuit In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 5 including said motor and valve, said valve my hand.

being automatically set to by-pass fuel at a certain pressure w en said circuit is closed, i LEWIS L. SCOTT. 

